Wearable motorcycle heat-shield

ABSTRACT

A one-size-fits-all wearable motorcycle heat-shield, intended for use by a rider in order to prevent burns from the exhaust pipes of the motorcycle is disclosed. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield is comprised of a planar centered heat-shield with planar regions disposed on either side. The planar regions are temporarily attachable through the use of hook-and-loop fasteners, or other temporary fastening means. The heat-shield is comprised of an outer cover fabricated from a woven water-, flame-, and heat-resistant fabric covering an inner heat-resistant layer.

CLAIM OF PRIORITY

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Non-ProvisionalUtility application Ser. No. 16/140,605 filed Sep. 25, 2018.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the class of apparel and the sub-classes ofapparel for legs and guards or protectors. Specifically, this inventionrelates to a wearable heat-shield for a motorcycle rider.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

The present invention is a wearable motorcycle heat-shield. The presentinvention is intended to fill a need in the motor sports market—namely,the hazard of burning one's leg on or near the motorcycle exhaust pipe.Most motorcycles have an exposed exhaust pipe. Many makes and models arenotorious for having hot exhaust pipes, which are in all casesuncomfortable and which can, in some cases, burn a rider. Severalpopular models of motorcycles have exhaust pipes that are in excess of500° F. in close proximity to the leg of either the rider or passenger.In order to prevent burns, riders can wear expensive, bulky, and hotfull-body protective suits. Although such a solution prevents burning,it is very uncomfortable in warm weather. Many riders and theirpassengers rely on denim or other heavy pant material to prevent thehazard of exhaust burns on the leg, but this solution is prone tofailure. Additionally, many heavy pant materials are uncomfortable inthe warm summer months.

What the market is seeking is a wearable heat-shield to prevent burns onthe motorcycle muffler, with the following attributes: light-weight,one-size-fits-all, easily removable, comfortable, and not unduly warm.There is currently no product on the market that adequately fills thismarket need. The present invention is a light-weight and durablewearable heat-shield that is localized, allowing the rider to wear it onthe part of the leg most likely to be burned by the exhaust—the rider'sleg. The present invention is easily wearable and storable.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is intended to disclose the present invention, a wearablemotorcycle heat-shield. The embodiments and descriptions are used toillustrate the invention and its utility, and are not intended to limitthe invention or its use. The present invention is a wearable motorcycleheat-shield, intended to be worn by a motorcycle rider or passenger. Thewearable motorcycle heat-shield is intended to be temporarily worn by amotorcycle rider or passenger, (“User”) in order to reduce or eliminatethe risk of burning the User's leg(s) on the motorcycle exhaust.

The wearable motorcycle heat-shield has an integral base layer. Aheat-shield is centered on the integral base layer, resulting in threeidentifiable regions: a central heat-shield with a first region disposedon one side and a second regions disposed on the opposite side. Theintegral base layer is constructed from a stretchable and perforatedsynthetic fabric or polymer. In the preferred embodiment, the integralbase layer is constructed from a blend of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber andchloroprene (“SBR Neoprene”). This material stretches withoutexperiencing undue thermal creep. The integral base layer may beperforated in order to improve breathability of the invention. Otherexcellent formulations include SBR impregnated polyester and blends ofSBR, Neoprene, and nitrile rubber.

The integral base layer has an outer surface and an inner surface. Theheat-shield is centered on, and attached to, the outer surface of theintegral base layer, resulting in a first region and a second region ofthe integral base layer. The integral base layer and heat-shield areplanar. The first region and the second region may be equal in size, butthat is not a limitation of the present invention. The outer surface ofthe heat-shield is intended to be disposed towards the source of heatwhen worn by the User. The heat-shield is attached to, and durablyjoined with, the integral base layer at a top seam, a bottom seam, aside seam with the first region, and a side seam with the second region.Both the first region and the second region have a top edge, a bottomedge, and an outer side edge.

In the preferred embodiment, the outer cover of the heat-shield isflame-retardant and heat-resistant woven fabric blend of oxidizedpolyacrylonitrile (“Oxidized PAN”) and aramid fibers. This can beattached directly to the integral base layer through stitching, gluing,or heat staking. The heat-shield also includes an inner, heat resistantlayer. In the preferred embodiment, the inner, heat resistant layer isfabricated from ¾″ of 15 shore durometer volcanized silicon. Otherinner, heat resistant layer materials are possible, including heatresistant industrial felts, foils, and laminates of felts and foils.

The present invention contains fasteners, such as hook-and-loopfasteners, on both the first and second region. A user wraps thewearable motorcycle heat-shield around their leg and fastens it with thehook-and-loop fasteners. Because the integral base layer is constructedfrom SBR Neoprene, the User can stretch the wearable motorcycleheat-shield when wrapping it around their leg, relying on the restoringtension within the SBR Neoprene to provide a snug fit. The User canadjust how tight the wearable motorcycle heat-shield is wrapped aroundtheir leg by further stretching or loosening the material beforefastening the hook-and-loop fasteners. The wearable motorcycleheat-shield, as presented herein, will mold itself easily to thecontours of the User's leg, whether it is worn on the thigh, knee, calf,or ankle. When using the present invention, a User's leg can remainwithin 3″ of a 500° F. heat source, indefinitely, without being burned.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated with 8 drawings on 5 sheets.

FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the outer surface of the present invention,a wearable motorcycle heat-shield in a longitudinally extendedconfiguration.

FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the present invention, a wearable motorcycleheat-shield in a partially enclosed configuration.

FIG. 3 is a lateral view of the present invention being used, in situ,by a user.

FIG. 4 a lateral view of the present invention, a wearable motorcycleheat-shield, in a circular enclosed configuration.

FIG. 5 is an isolation top view of the radiant-heat-resistant layer ofthe heat-shield laminate.

FIG. 6 is an isolation top view of the thermally resistive felt layer ofthe heat-shield laminate.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the present invention in a partiallyenclosed configuration.

FIG. 8 is a lateral view of the inner surface of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, butrather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the presentinvention, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield. The present invention isillustrated with a variety of drawings showing various aspects of theinvention, including a currently preferred embodiment.

Motorcycle mufflers often burn motorcycle riders and passengers(“User”). FIG. 1 is a lateral view of the outer surface of the presentinvention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1; FIG. 8 is a lateralview of the inner surface of the present invention 1, a wearablemotorcycle heat-shield 1. FIG. 2 is a lateral view of the presentinvention 1 in a partially enclosed configuration. FIG. 3 is a lateralview of the present invention 1 on a User's 100 leg 101, 102, 104.Although FIG. 3 shows a user 100 using the present invention 1 on theircalf, between the knee 102 and the ankle 104, it is understood that thepresent invention 1 can be worn anywhere on a user's 100 leg 101, 102,104. The present invention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1, isintended to be temporarily worn by a User 100, in order to reduce oreliminate the risk of burning the User's 100 leg 101, 102, 104 on themotorcycle exhaust. The present invention 1, a wearable motorcycleheat-shield 1, is one-size-fits-all.

In the preferred embodiment, the wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1 hasan integral base layer 300 that is planar. The integral base layer 300is fabricated from a blend of Styrene-Butadiene Rubber and chloroprene(“SBR Neoprene”). This material stretches without experiencing unduethermal creep. Other excellent formulations for the integral base layerinclude SBR impregnated polyester and blends of SBR, Neoprene, andnitrile rubber. The integral base layer 300 can be fabricated from anywater-proof, stretchable material that will conform to the User's 100leg 101, 102, 104. The integral base layer 300 is perforated 499.

The integral base layer 300 has an outer surface 330 and an innersurface 440. In FIG. 1, a heat-shield 110 is centered on, and attachedto, the outer surface 330 of the integral base layer 300, resulting in afirst region 11 and a second region 12. The heat-shield 110 is planar.The first region 11 and the second region 12 are drawn to be equal insize, but that is not a limitation of the present invention 1. Theheat-shield 110 has a surface 10 that is disposed on the outside, towardthe motorcycle's exhaust when worn. The heat-shield 110 is attached to,and durably joined with, the integral base layer at a top seam 26, abottom seam 24, a side seam 23 with the first region 11, and a side seam25 with the second region 12. The first region 11 has a top edge 21, abottom edge 17, and an outer side edge 22. The second region 12 has atop edge 20, a bottom edge 18, and an outer side edge 19. As shown inFIG. 8, the integral fabric base layer 300 may contain perforations 499to dissipate heat away from the User's 100 leg 101, 102, 104.

In the preferred embodiment, the outer cover 10 of the heat-shield 110is fabricated from a woven water-, flame-, and heat-resistant blend ofoxidized polyacrylonitrile (“Oxidized PAN”) and aramid fibers. The outercover 10 of the heat-shield 110 may be durably joined to the integralfabric base layer 300 using adhesive, thermal bonding, or stitching.

The first region 11 has an outer surface 31 and an inner surface 41. Thesecond region 12 has an outer surface 32 and an inner surface 42. Likethe first and second regions 11, 12, the heat-shield region 110 has anouter cover 10, and an opposed inner surface.

The first and second regions 11, 12 of the wearable motorcycleheat-shield 1 have adjustable fasteners disposed opposite one another,so that the wearable motorcycle heat-shield 1 may be temporarily worn bya user 100. In the example shown in FIG. 1, two strips of ahook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 are configured oneach of the outer and inner surfaces 31, 32, 41, 42 of the first andsecond regions 11, 12. The outer surface 31 of the first region 11 hastwo strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14; the outer surface 32 ofthe second region 12 has two strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 15, 16;the inner surface 41 of the first region 11 has two strips ofhook-and-loop fasteners 43, 44; and the inner surface 42 of the secondregion 12 has two strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 45, 46. The stripsof hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 are arrangedso that no matter how a user 100 wraps the present invention 1 aroundthe user's 100 leg 101, 102, 104, the present invention will remain inplace until removed by the user 100.

Now referencing FIG. 3, the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14 onthe outer surface 31 of the first region 11 mate with the strips ofhook-and-loop fasteners 45, 46 on the inner surface 42 of the secondregion 12. Alternately (not shown in FIG. 3), the strips ofhook-and-loop fasteners 15, 16 on the outer surface 32 of the secondregion 12 mate with the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 43, 44 on theinner surface 41 of the fabric region 11. In this way, the wearablemotorcycle heat-shield 1 can be wrapped in either direction about theleg 101, 102, 104 of the User 100. The configuration of thehook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 on the inner 41,42 and outer surface 31, 32 are arranged lengthwise in the example inFIG. 1. This means that the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 13, 14,15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 are parallel with the top edge 26 of theheat-shield 110, the top edge 21 of the first region 11, the top edge 20of the second region 12, the bottom edge 24 of the heat-shield 110, thebottom edge 17 of the first region 11, and the bottom edge 18 of thesecond region 12. The configuration of the hook-and-loop fasteners 13,14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 on the inner 41, 42 and outer surface 31, 32could also be arranged widthwise. The configuration of the hook-and-loopfasteners 13, 14, 15, 16, 43, 44, 45, 46 on the inner 41, 42 and outersurface 31, 32 makes the present invention 1 one-size-fits-all. Thepresent invention 1 fits between the User's knee 102 and ankle 104,commonly called the calf region, terminating above the user's 100 shoe103. Alternately, the present invention 1 also fits on the User's thigh101.

FIG. 4 shows the present invention 1 wrapped with its inner surfaces 41,42 exposed. FIG. 7 shows the present invention 1 partially enclosed,with both the inner surfaces 41, 42 and outer surfaces 31, 32 exposed.The outer cover 10 of the heat-shield is visible in FIG. 7. Previouslydiscussed elements are visible in FIG. 4 such as the top edge 26 of theheat-shield 110, the top edge 21 of the first region 11, the top edge 20of the second region 12, the bottom edge 24 of the heat-shield 110, thebottom edge 17 of the first region 11, the bottom edge 18 of the secondregion 12, and the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners 43, 44, 45, 46.

FIGS. 5-6 show the planar materials of the heat-shield 110. FIG. 5 showsthe outer layer of the heat-shield, a blend of Oxidized PAN and aramidfiber 10. This can be attached directly to the integral base layer 300through stitching, gluing, or heat staking. FIG. 6 shows the inner, heatresistant layer 211 of the heat-shield 110. In the preferred embodiment,the inner, heat resistant layer 211 is fabricated from ¾″ of 15 shoredurometer volcanized silicon. Other inner, heat resistant layer 211materials are possible, including heat resistant industrial felts,foils, and laminates of felts and foils.

The present invention 1, a wearable motorcycle heat-shield, as presentedherein, will mold itself easily to the contours of the user's 100 leg,whether it is worn on the thigh 101, on the knee 102, or on the calf,between the knee 102 and the ankle 104. The present invention 1 is flameresistant and heat resistant. The outer layer 10 of the heat-shield 110is a high-performance, woven, flame resistant material. The inner heatresistant layer 211 is made from a reinforced silicon material that isflexible, moldable, and does not creep when heated. The integral baselayer 300 is fabricated from a stretchable SBR Neoprene, that isperforated 499 in order to keep the user 100 cool. When using thepresent invention 1, a user's 100 leg 101, 102, 104 can remain within 3″of a 500° F. heat source, indefinitely, without being burned.

I claim:
 1. A wearable motorcycle heat-shield device comprised of aplanar integral base layer fabricated from a blend of styrene butadienerubber (“SBR”) and chloroprene, and having an outer surface and an innersurface, a planar heat-shield durably attached to the outer surface ofthe integral base layer, the planar heat-shield having an outer coverand an inner, heat resistant layer, where the outer cover of theheat-shield is fabricated from a woven blend of oxidizedpolyacrylonitrile (“Oxidized PAN”) and aramid fibers; and the inner,heat resistant layer is fabricated from 15 shore durometer volcanizedsilicon; the planar heat-shield defining a first region and a secondregion of the integral base layer, the first region having at least oneadjustable fastener on its inner surface and at least one adjustablefastener on its outer surface and the second region having at least oneadjustable fastener on its inner surface and at least one adjustablefastener on its outer surface, wherein the adjustable fasteners of thefirst region are so configured as to securely attach to the adjustablefastener of the second region so that a user, having a leg, maytemporarily wear the wearable motorcycle heat-shield device on theuser's leg.
 2. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 1,wherein the inner, heat resistant layer is more than ½″.
 3. The wearablemotorcycle heat-shield device of claim 2, wherein the inner, heatresistant layer is ¾″.
 4. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device ofclaim 3, wherein the adjustable fasteners are strips of hook-and-loopfasteners.
 5. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 4,wherein the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners are arranged lengthwisewith respect to the integral base layer.
 6. The wearable motorcycleheat-shield device of claim 4, wherein the strips of hook-and-loopfasteners are arranged widthwise with respect to the integral baselayer.
 7. The wearable motorcycle heat-shield device of claim 4, whereinthe strips of hook-and-loop fasteners are arranged so that thehook-and-loop fastener on the outer surface of the first planar fabricregion mates with the hook-and-loop fastener on the inner surface of thesecond planar fabric region.
 8. The wearable motorcycle heat-shielddevice of claim 4, wherein the strips of hook-and-loop fasteners are soarranged that the hook-and-loop fastener on the outer surface of thesecond planar fabric region mates with the hook-and-loop fastener on theinner surface of the first planar fabric region.
 9. The wearablemotorcycle heat-shield device of claim 4, wherein the configuration ofthe hook-and-loop fasteners on the first and second planar regionsallows the wearable motorcycle heat-shield device to be adjusted toaccommodate any sized user.
 10. The wearable motorcycle heat-shielddevice of claim 4, wherein the integral base layer is perforated inorder to dissipate heat.